• At least 16 people have died during a week of protests in Iran over rising inflation.
• Protests have escalated, marking the largest unrest in three years, despite a harsh crackdown.
• U.S. President Trump threatens intervention if civilian harm occurs, prompting retaliatory warnings from Iran.
• Protesters have faced lethal force from security forces, leading to widespread arrests.

At least 16 people have been killed during a week of unrest in Iran, according to rights groups, as demonstrations over soaring inflation spread across the nation. The protests, which have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, are reported to be the largest in three years, occurring at a time of significant economic distress for the Islamic Republic. The protests began among bazaar traders and shopkeepers before expanding to include university students and various provincial cities, with some demonstrators openly chanting against Iran's clerical leadership, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

The protests follow a significant increase in inflation, which has exceeded 36% since March, and the Iranian rial has lost around half its value against the U.S. dollar. This economic turmoil has led to widespread hardship and frustration among the populace. Despite the violent response from security forces, demonstrations have persisted across Iran, particularly in western regions and even in Tehran, although the latter has seen less intense clashes. The challenges are compounded by international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, which have contributed to the country's economic vulnerabilities, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Middle East Eye.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the U.S. is "locked and loaded" to assist the protesters if violence against them intensifies, a warning that has elicited retaliatory threats from Iranian officials. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has asserted that Iran "will not yield to the enemy," highlighting the escalating tensions between the two nations. The Iranian authorities have confirmed at least 582 arrests linked to the protests, with ongoing efforts to detain protest organizers and leaders, emphasized by reports of clashes in regions such as Malekshahi, Ilam province, according to Reuters, Middle East Eye, and Channel News Asia.